IT will come as some relief to Glamorgan that the wheels have fallen off the totesport League wagon after they have crossed the winning line.

From a dominant position of 11 wins from 13 outings to seal the title, Glamorgan have lost the last two matches against Kent and Warwickshire.

But the team which went down by four wickets to the Bears yesterday was a much-changed lineup. There was no Matthew Elliott, Alex Wharf, Andrew Davies, Dean Cosker, Adrian Dale, Michael Kasprowicz nor Darren Thomas from the title-winning side.

With the trophy safely in the cabinet, this was the time to rest some and experiment with others. Richard Grant, the 20-year-old all-rounder from Neath, and Dan Cherry made their debuts in the competition, while Simon Jones figured for only the second time five years after his first appearance.

And there were moments to savour even in defeat. Grant grabbed a wicket with only his second ball at this level to bowl Nick Knight with a yorker, and Jones sent Jonathan Trott's off-stump hurtling backwards with a rapid delivery on a slow pitch. Cherry also got in the act with a skilful run out.

At the other end of the spectrum Matthew Maynard became the first Glamorgan player to pass 8,000 one-day league runs.

After winning the toss it was Maynard's responsible 63 which assisted Glamorgan to set Warwickshire, who were desperate for a win to help their relegation battle, a tricky 212 on a slow Cardiff wicket.

The Dragons were indebted to two main partnerships. Ian Thomas, struggling with a hamstring injury, and Michael Powell, ending a barren one-day run, put on 74. Then Maynard and David Hemp collaborated in a partnership of 95 in 19 overs, but it was largely dour fare as the second-wicket pair had to negotiate a spin-dominated attack.